Benchmark DAC1 Pre - anybody heard a mod?

Hi Guys,

I think it's great that you're both willing to try new things. That's what makes our hobby so much fun. Beatster, as a mentioned earlier, I too own the Benchmark DAC, and I think it is absolutely wonderful,

I initially bought it for my Living Room, but now I have it hooked up to my Mac Pro in my home office, with a pair of Audio Engine 5 speakers and I'm getting wonderful results. I was able to find the sound that I was looking for in the Bel Canto DAC3 used last year for $1750 now it goes for around $1600. But, it was the Benchmark DAC that initially lit a fire under me to upgrade my entire audio system over the past year, and I haven't looked back.

As Kijanki mentioned, the Benchmark DAC does really excel in; clarity, transparency and resolution as well as sound stage width. I think it is a little weak in midrange purity, timbre, harmonics, and sound stage depth, but for $1000 I think it is is still one of the best buys in all of HiFi and I continue to wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a new DAC. I think if someone's system is on the warm side, too laid back or to slow then it's a great choice. If someone's system is too dry, analytical, or too forward then I would go for a used Bel Canto DAC3. The Bel Canto also has a smoother midrange than the Benchmark, without sacrificing transparency, speed, or resolution.

The best thing to do would be to try and demo or borrow different components that you may be interested in, without committing to purchase it just yet.

Oh, one more thing!

True, sometimes, less "is" more. If a component or cable, is not transparent to the source and it gets in the way of the music, than in fact less is more.

So, trust your ears, in your system, that's all that matters.
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I also own the DAC1 Pre and I think it's absolutely a great match for my system. I use a tube preamp, the Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Ultimate, and a tube power amp, McIntosh MC275, to power my Harbeth Super HL-5 speakers. My system tends to be warm and musical and the DAC1 Pre is just the DAC for my system. I use a Rega Saturn for the transport. I plan to connect a hard drive system to the DAC1 Pre in the near future. Also, in my system, the Benchmark is better than the Rega Saturn used as a stand alone CDP. I get the warm and rich sound that the tube components and Harbeths provide while getting all the clarity and resolution that the Benchmark can provide. I have no desire for additional warmth from the DAC1 Pre so I would not consider a professional mod.

I've considered modding my DAC1 USB to see what that could really bring, but really just don't have the desire to do so. I use a BAT VK300xSE which has a tube pre-stage, with SS amplification. Speakers are Totem Hawk. I really like the way this setup sounds.

If you do mod, please report back on your impressions!

This discussion is interesting. I've read more than a few posts that suggest a tube preamp brings some warmth to a system using the Dac1. Perhaps this is a naive question, but would a integrated tube amplifier + Dac1 have a similar warmth as a system having a separate tube preamp? I have a Dac1 USB - not the Dac1 Pre. Thank you.